Reflections Before Bedtime #67

God did something amazing for a woman today, and I got to be the lucky one to break the good news. When I gave her the good news, she started crying. Sobs of gratitude. I was so moved by this. How many times do we look around and get overwhelmed by all that we have?

May we always practice gratitude. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

He has worked wonders for me already, and it’s only Monday.

And if you are feeling negatively overwhelmed, remember, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11).

Leave it in His hands. The hands that rule the universe.

XOXO

Gabriela Yareliz

Happy Week: January 24, 2016

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By: Gabriela Yareliz

We are thawing out, my people. The blizzard left us magnificent heaps of white glittery snow. I took a walk around my neighborhood today. Children were making bank. Adolescents were running around with shovels helping neighbors resurrect their cars. Neighbors would then hand them bundles of cash after a job well-done (meaning a car that can be seen).

Houses were lined with icicles; there was fresh snow everywhere; barely anything was cleaned. The sky was blue, and the sun was out, offering us a morning kiss. I had snow up to my thighs.

The weekend was very cozy, and our sunset to close out the weekend was spectacular and purple. Yes. I can see the bridge now. I enjoyed the beauty of nature and the beauty of seeing neighbors helping neighbors. Such classy people. I love my neighborhood.

Some Mercedes-Benz and Fiats are still buried in the street, but the week begins, with or without them.

I hope you had a cozy weekend filled with good food, as well. It’s time to begin, again, and this week, we are finishing January. Amazing how time flies.

You really notice who cares about you when you are trapped in a storm. I found that to be interesting. This week, let’s look at our relationships. Let’s analyze who invests, who doesn’t, how we invest, who cares and who may not deserve a “front-row seat” in our lives. Something so simple and perhaps obvious may change how much energy we allow to drain away on certain issues. And sometimes, it will be a wake-up call to new realities or to the fact that we deserve so much more.

And lastly, cherish the loved ones and squad that are always by your side.

May we start the week united in prayer for each other.

Warm hugs from a very frosty New York City.

XOXO.

***

“I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

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“If the world was blind, how many people would you impress?”

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“Grateful hearts are a magnet for miracles.”

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“He offered her the world; she said, she had her own.”

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“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.”

Michael Nolan

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“Only empty spaces can be filled.”

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“Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.” Donald Miller, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

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Be fearless this week! Climb that daunting snow mountain!

*grin*

[Images from Tumblr]

 

mi alma

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mi alma se fue caminado por un caminito;

fue a solearse en un vestido de encaje.

espíritu de marinero;

mi alma se ensucia las sandalias.

mi alma se sienta debajo de un girasol y luego salta una verja.

mi alma se acuesta en el jardín. se limpia con la lluvia del mediodía. se seca con el arcoiris que siempre extiende promesa.

mi alma se fue a nadar en el mar. en la orilla no se queda.

mi alma recoge frambuesas y se cubre con las enredareras de flores.

mi alma fue a solearse. en el calor dulce se broncea.

Gabriela Yareliz

[Imagen de Free People]

Blizzard Update

By: Gabriela Yareliz

9:26 a.m.: Here I am, at home, on Sabbath, in a pink Minnie Mouse onesie and with Amal Clooney hair. Seriously.

Yesterday, I let my abuela’s concern (and perhaps slight paranoia) about the weather get to me, and I bought water, snacks and candles that smell like “Cashmere Woods,” whatever that means. It smells good, don’t worry. It smells a lot better than the “Hawaiian Orchid” candle, which gave me flashbacks of body spray I used when I was twelve. I also found myself in the lipstick aisle but then decided this was not essential for the snow apocalypse.

My plan was to go to church. I was adamant, despite the fact that some family members equated stepping out into frigid temperatures with death. I was told my Mediterranean nose would fall off, and I would freeze. Okay. I want to keep my nose, but I am so stubborn. *Sigh*

I have no problem staying in, unless I see something as exciting and photogenic as fresh snow. I woke up, and apparently, because I live close to water (everyone in NYC does, technically, but I am really close), there is zero visibility. I can’t see the bridge from my window. It’s scary. In fact, I think that if you step out, you could easily get confused or lost. Everything is a blur of grey.

This reminded me of my snowy days in Michigan as a child. My mom would bundle me up, scarf around face, until I looked like one of Alibaba’s thieves, and off I’d go to the bus stop– until a glorious snow day was announced on the local news. Rejoice. (Snowy Gabby would then reenter the house and unravel).

I dream of sunny days, where the sun warms the uncovered skin and hair flows free. Heat that you can breathe in. No itchy stockings or leggings. Bare legs. No earmuffs or hats that give you flat hair. I can’t wait.

And if you think my sweet Florida would have saved me from this snowy mess…

I just got a phone call from my mother. It’s snowing, IN FLORIDA. What is this world coming to?

These are the days when you are left very alone with your thoughts, indoors. Nature’s weird solemnity inspires you to reflect.

I like solemnity. I live in my hippie home with no microwave, stereos or music players, WiFi or television. I keep it old world charm at my place… an attempt at peace, spiritual balance and realness. The only thing that occasionally disrupts the peace is my phone. I wish I could chuck it into the Hudson, sometimes.

Anyway, we still have power, thank God. I still have plans for this snow day. We’ll see. There is this crazy, Weather Channel storm chaser inside of me that needs to be appeased. And once the sun goes down, sofrito will hit the pan. I want a very warm, Latin dinner.

I have my Bible, a crisp, hardcover copy of Jesus on Trial: A lawyer affirms the truth of the Gospel, beans and chips and bananas. All the essentials, or in the words of Julie Andrews, “these are a few of my favorite things.”

I will warm up my gluten-free quiche and watch the snow fall, while I recalculate my plans.

Baby, it’s cold outside, but I got plans…

[Updates to come].

Reflections Before Bedtime #65

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The most interesting kind of eyes are the outspoken ones. They have no choice but to be honest. I love the ones that can tell a whole story. The ones that can’t feign interest. The eyes that pretend to ignore but can’t. The ones that can hold a different conversation than the mouth. The eyes that laugh and spark. The eyes that tease secrets and then spill them out, not leaving a drop. The eyes that say, “I love you.” The eyes that plead with the human heart. The ones that soften in forgiveness. The eyes that have witnessed pain but have seen a great light. The ones that linger until they are met. Eyes that behold the unseen, the most important things of all.

Gabriela Yareliz

[Image from India Times]

Monday Inspiration: January 18, 2016

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[Image from Pinterest]

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Feliz just broke the news to me… High School Musical 10-year reunion!! This is gold for those of us who were in high school with the Wildcats.

It’s the trilogy that helped people pronounce my name (the lead character is Gabriella Montez, played by Vanessa Hudgens). It’s the trilogy that made us sing, “You are the music in me.” This trilogy made those of us who were nerds, like the lead characters, feel cool. It taught us about friendship, trying things in spite of our fears, making tough decisions, not fearing the future, letting go of the status quo, inner beauty, how we choose who we become and what’s important to us every day, and how one person can change many lives.

In high school, while my friends and I were getting schooled by Cambridge, I would write out my assignments with my right hand, which had hanging on the wrist a silver, chain link High School Musical watch with a silver music note charm dangling off of it. Oh, the memories.

Kenny Ortega, director, and the cast are wickedly talented. And this reunion just shows we are still all in this together. Thank you Disney Channel for the reunion! (It airs at the end of the month). A tribute to three movies that made our lives sparkle a little more.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane with the songs some of us sang in our high school hallways *blush*…

Let’s start at the beginning…

Bonus treat (one of my favorite scenes):

And then to summer greatness…

And then, Senior Year…

/Gonna run, while we’re young, and keep the faith…Every day/